The minister said that the diesel oil sold would be of a poorer quality, reversing a two-year regulation in place to ban its use to improve air quality.

Despite Mr Cusi’s comments, the plan still needs to be cleared by the country’s environmental department.

The decision to use cleaner fuel was put in place in January 2016.

A department official confined, however, that the proposition to use a cheaper, dirtier form of diesel was being considered “for the purpose of reducing the impact of rising petroleum prices in the world market.”

“We’re studying it right now, giving consideration to their plan to cushion inflation. We’re also looking at the implications for emissions,” Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones told Reuters on Friday.